Basing yourself near the University of Louisville (U of L) is a fantastic option when it comes to staying in the city on a budget. It makes a lot of sense too - doing so puts you in close proximity to all of the city's attractions, while also being close to the airport.

The U of L Campus

The University of Louisville (U of L) is famous for its athletic program, as well as its innovations in medicine. The main campus, Belknap, is three miles south of downtown Louisville, spanning 345 acres which makes it the perfect place to use as a base to explore the area.

Getting Your Bearings Straight

South of campus, there's the Kentucky Exposition Center and further south across I-264 is the airport. As a result, you'll find a ton of hotel options in this area that can fit any budget. To the southwest is Churchill Downs, and once a year it opens its tracks for the Kentucky Derby. North of campus is Old Historic Louisville, and here you'll be in a lovely neighborhood offering convenient access to restaurants, the hospital, and many apartment rental options.

Budget-friendly Hotels by U of L

Rodeway Inn Louisville is a short six-minute drive to the main campus and just off the interstate for extra convenience. Driving into the city is a mere eleven minutes. The hotel provides guests with lots of free amenities including wifi, parking, and even an airport shuttle if you're not renting a car. For something even closer, the Super 8 Louisville/Expo Center is right at the lip of campus and just as cheap.

Fantastic Hotels at Bargain Prices

Four Points by Sheraton and Springhill Suites by Marriott are a stone's throw away from the campus and start at $79 a night which is a steal. If that wasn't good enough, Courtyard by Marriott is only $76. Contrast to the hotels in the downtown core that start at a minimum of $110.

Airbnb Options

With the university nearby, affordable apartment and housing rental options nearby are plentiful. Well appointed and highly reviewed properties dot the neighborhood north of campus in the sightseeing treasure filled Old Historic Louisville. This is ideal for travelers wanting to situate themselves between the U of L campus and the downtown core. From this neighborhood, public transportation is also available which alleviates the need for a car. Apartments and housing in the area ranges from one bedroom to a full Victorian condo that accommodates six and cost can start as low as $60 a night.

Getting Around Louisville

Louisville is a very easy city to get around as a visitor. Renting a car will be an option for most that are coming down since you can easily pick up rental cars from the airport before getting to the U of L area. Cars are the preferred mode of transportation if you need to go to places in the suburbs. That being said, the public transportation system called TARC in the downtown via bus and trolley are extremely easy. Trolleys operated by TARC are completely free and will save you the hassle of zigzagging through one-way streets and finding parking. Around the university, busses 2, 4, and 18 pass through and will take you where you need to go as long as you factor in a bit more time for your journey.

Catching the Cardinals

There's always a game going on at the University of Louisville, whether it's football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, or soccer. Simply head over to the GoCards website and see what's available. The city really rallies behind its teams, so you can count on an amazing atmosphere at whichever game you attend.